topic Question about heart palpitations in Anxiety

Question about heart palpitations

Steph — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:33:23 GMT

Hello everyone

I have heart palpitations 24/7 and always, always, always have a ball of anxiety in my stomach (if that makes any sense). What I wanted to know is, is it normal (for an anxiety sufferer) to constantly have heart palpitations? I am trying to avoid caffeine and anything sugary as these seem to exacerbate the anxiety, but even without either of these it seems to be a constant thing.

Can anyone tell me if a) you experience the same thing and/or b) what you can do to stop the heart palpitations.

Many thanks in advance

Steph

Question about heart palpitations

romantic_thi3f — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:14:59 GMT

Hi Steph,

Fellow anxiety sufferer here!

What I can tell you is that yes, it's not uncommon for people with anxiety to have consistent heart palpitations. Often people find that once they can manage their anxiety, the physical symptoms tend to lessen. Things like slowing our breathing can make a big impact on how our body reacts to stress. Other things might be muscle tension and release exercises, yoga or drawing/colouring. It can take a while for people to find what works for them.

Having said that though, I should also mention that sometimes there other other causes to heart palpitations - things like caffeine, like you said, or even a vitamin deficiency. So best to get it checked out by your GP if you're worried.

Question about heart palpitations

pipsy — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 03:01:06 GMT

Hi Steph. Can I ask if there's anything besides the heart palpitations that you notice? If you're experiencing sweating, hot/cold feelings? Perhaps as romantic suggested a visit to your Dr for a check up. I quite often get heart palpitations when I'm uncomfortable about something or somewhere where I'm out of my ' comfort zone'. You mentioned this is 24/7, can I ask if you've recently had a bad experience which has triggered a previous bad experience? Maybe take notes of how you're feeling before your heart starts racing, I would definitely suggest a trip to your Dr. Give him as much info as possible to enable him to help you. You may need a course of short term AD's to help relax you.

Lynda

Question about heart palpitations

Steph — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:30:03 GMT

Thank you romantic and pipsy for your responses.

I have noticed that as well as the heart palpitations I tend to feel hot...a bit flushed maybe. My anxiety has been worse lately which may be why it is 24/7. I am going back to my GP this week to have my meds reviewed so will discuss the heart palpitations as well.

Steph

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:31:13 GMT

Hi Steph,

I also have this problem, had ECG done came back fine, had a holter moniter as well, ( find out about that tomorrow ) but I feel it is my stress, mine was almost constant then last week I had a good few days were I felt myself again, but then Sunday night I got upset again and they came back, today they are up and down, not quiet sure what it is seems to be stress but is fustrating.
The doctor prescribed me beta blockers I have yet to try too them as if there is nothing wrong I don't really want to but might give in.

I would go get checked for sure, but you're not alone.

Question about heart palpitations

Steph — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 22:51:14 GMT

Hey caitie0

Thanks for your reply. It is incredibly frustrating hey. And I think when your heart is going faster it makes you think about it and then you get more anxious...it's like a never ending cycle. I can understand your hesitation in using the beta blockers. When I feel better, I always (naively) think that that's it, it's not going to happen anymore....so I always hope that I don't need the medication.

If you do take the beta blockers I hope they give you some relief 🙂

Question about heart palpitations

pipsy — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:44:40 GMT

Hi Steph. I was thinking, perhaps your blood pressure could be slightly elevated. Often when we feel anxious or upset our blood pressure elevates due to the tension caused by anxiety. This can bring on palpitations, sweating, flushes etc. Also cholesterol can cause elevation with blood pressure. Ask your Dr to check these too. Better check than worry.

Lynda

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 07:40:08 GMT

I just got back my holter moniter results all normal, but my resting heart rate is high, doctor thinks it is my anxiety ( I am in my 20's and not overweight, had my thyroid checked, blood pressure is normal ) he said I am over thinking, but this doesn't make me feel better at all, I am fustrated to say the least.

I am going to join the gym and try and eat better, see if this helps me out a lil at all.

Question about heart palpitations

Steph — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 00:53:42 GMT

Being told that you are just overthinking really would not help at all...I hope the gym and good food helps 😕

Question about heart palpitations

blondguy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 02:54:46 GMT

Hey Steph.

Heart palps are a pain and a classic symptom of anxiety. Once the adrenaline starts pumping the palps can start.

My first mega anxiety attack was in 1983. The palpitations do lessen as any anxiety symptom does with regular visits to your doc.

As caitie0 mentioned the Beta Blockers do work well. They are a basic medication that work well with some of the anxiety symptoms.

Good post Steph

Kind Thoughts

Paul

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:14:42 GMT

I think I am going to end up taking them, just so they can calm down and hopefully ill ease off thinking about it constantly. My problem is I don't think I am anxious, I think I am more stressed? but are these things quiet similar.

let us know how you go steph, but just to let you know I am also struggling on this, as it has turned into my fixation as I don't know why my anxiety has started.

Question about heart palpitations

pipsy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 06:32:36 GMT

Hi caitieO. Anxiety causes our stress levels to elevate, when that happens we quite often experience rapid heart beat, sweating etc. Taking the AD's will help you feel more relaxed, then your stress levels should start to ease. With your anxiety though, it might pay to take note of when you start feeling anxious, what brings it on. Once you're aware of the causes and you recognize when it's time to 'back away' from the cause of the anxiety, hopefully you will start to feel more in control of your emotions. While the AD's will help control the anxiety, you still need to be aware why you're having these feelings. Perhaps a talk with your Dr might be an idea.

Lynda

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 07:32:46 GMT

Hi Pipsy

I am not on AD but have been given beta blockers to help with the palpitations. I have been seeing a psychologist and she cant seem to pin point, nor I what is setting it off, I notice it when I am stressed (any stress at work, when I get upset etc) and thinking about it and I try not to worry about it.

Question about heart palpitations

pipsy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:28:23 GMT

hi caitieO. Have you considered taking some stress leave, till you can sort out where the problem is? If your work is causing the stress, you may have to consider a career change. Is your job a high powered job where you have to be 'on the ball' 24/7? I realize you probably enjoy your job, but if it is causing you stress, is it worth it? Perhaps the travel to and from work is stressing you. Peak hour traffic whether you're driving or walking can be daunting. If the beta blockers are aiding with slowing the palpitations, that's good, but you're not really addressing the stress which is where the beta blockers either can't help or are not designed to help.

Lynda

Question about heart palpitations

blondguy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:43:48 GMT

Hey Caitie0 (sorry to hijack your post Steph:-)

Caitie, you are right re the beta blockers, they arent a antidepressant. I have been on them for ages and have held a senior job for ages. They have little or no side effects and only really help with curbing some of the heart palpitations and mild hand tremors.

There are some very successful people that take them including many professional golfers so they dont have the hand tremors or heart palpitations before a world championship 🙂

Good on you Caitie

Paulx

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:41:49 GMT

Hi again,

i would have to find out how much sick leave I have, I work in aged care sometimes it's just stressful trying to get everything ready on time, but I don't really enjoy the job but I don't hate it either I would like to change but not a lot in my area, am probably going to enrol in gage but hope this doesn't make it worse.

I have a good drive to work so not really that just seems to be anything stressful, I felt down last weekend, then me and my partner sort of argued, then I watched a movie and the dog died in the movie got upset about that then since then gone up.

today my sister has app. To get her eyes lasered, I'm nervous for her! Then my heart get worse and I get that strangest feeling i can't describe almost like a bible in my chest.

It just seems to be anything, I haven't tried beta blocker yet either but think I will, considering trying the Ad again, but they made me feel really horrible. I just having a day where I am really struggling, today and I am quiet frustrated by it all.

thanks Paul yes I think I will give them a go, sorry Steph have stolen your thread!

Question about heart palpitations

pipsy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:58:50 GMT

Hi caitieO. You seem to have an awful lot going on in your life. No wonder your stress levels are where they are. Working with the elderly can be extremely frustrating, not to mention difficult. They can get quite nit-picky over (to us) nothing, but I know when I used to help an elderly man, my stress levels would be elevated. Perhaps it might be an idea to see how much sick leave you have and see if your Dr can arrange a certificate stating health reasons. You need to care for you and getting some time out would be beneficial. We all need to 'walk away' from time to time to re-charge the batteries. Spending time with your sister and bf without worrying over your job might be a great choice at this time. When we're stressed, often we tend to 'snap' over things that normally wouldn't concern us.

Lynda

Question about heart palpitations

blondguy — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:14:14 GMT

Hey Steph and Caitie

The beta blockers sound like something serious, but they arent, sometimes they work and sometimes they dont.I still cant figure out if they work or not, there doesnt seem to be any immediate effect on me or my brain....they just seem to curb the adrenaline flow a little.

I think I take a couple a week and they have the same impact as taking a panadol....

anyhow....thats just me 🙂 Paulx

Question about heart palpitations

caitie0 — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 08:57:58 GMT

Hi Guys,

I realised al my spelling mistakes before probably didn't make a lot of sense :). I am having a better day today, my sister had her lasik done! I went in with her and could see how anxious she was, made me anxious, though this nervousness for her, felt different to my anxiety?? She did really well so proud of her, I don't think I could've done it.

I think I am just scared of feeling worse when I take something, but will give them a go, I am only on a small dosage.

Thanks for your replies really helps to have people to talk too! Sometimes I it all just feel so wrong I cant understand how my mind is doing this too myself!

Question about heart palpitations

Jessme — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 04:16:39 GMT

Hi Steph,

I understand your worry, I also have heart palpitations. I also have a high resting heart rate so I'm obsessed with the idea I may have a metabolic disease which will shorten my lifespan. If I find a way to overcome the panic associated with heart sensations I will let you know.